Prosecutorial reform from within: district attorney ‘Disruptors’ and other change agents, 2016–2020

ABSTRACT Prior to 2016, the push for prosecutorial reform came from many different corners: legislators, nonprofits, and the larger community discontented with the justice system. In many ways, Trump’s campaign and election may have accelerated efforts to reform District Attorney offices across the country. With 51 decidedly progressive candidates winning office since 2016, it’s clear there is momentum for substantive change. Through an examination of policy statements and media coverage, this paper will examine the qualitative research question of what the scope of the District Attorney reform movement is; we posit a continuum of reformers, from the ‘disruptor’ (who wants to fundamentally change multiple structural components of the system) to the ‘pruner’ (whose reform intent is more circumscribed). First, we examine the role of the prosecutor, prior efforts at reform, and the federal landscape as it relates to change. We then examine the push for prosecutorial reform – from within – from these newly elected DA’s who have taken office since 2016, and consider their agendas, as well as the headwinds these prosecutors face as they try to make the changes they are promising.